Marshall Twins Guide Knights to Win Over Canterbury

A superb 94-run stand from Hamish and James Marshall steered the State Northern Knights to a well-judged four-wicket State Shield one-day cricket win over the State Canterbury Wizards at Rangiora today.

Chasing Canterbury's 253 for six off their 50 overs, Northern finished with a comfortable win, reaching 257 for six in 47.1 overs for their second win of the competition.

Batting first after winning the toss, Canterbury looked steady in reaching 253 for six off their 50 overs, despite losing both openers to run-outs within the space of four runs.

Iain Robertson made 54 before wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan effected the run out off a snappy return from BJ Watling, and Michael Papps was gone for 34 after Watling this time scored a direct hit.

Peter Fulton's 52 off 68 balls, and Shanan Stewart's 40 off 34 steadied the innings, and Canterbury looked to have a total to defend at 253 for six.

Hamish Marshall and Watling set up the run chase, their opening partnership broken with the score on 60 when the vastly experienced Chris Harris threw down the stumps to remove Watling for 17.

No 3 Michael Parlane added another 34 runs with Hamish Marshall before he departed, clean bowled by Shane Bond in the 19th over.

That brought James Marshall to the wicket, and the twin brothers wasted little time in flaying the Canterbury attack to set up the win.

While James was dismissed on 51 to a regulation catch at midwicket by Michael Davidson off the bowling of Johann Myburgh in the 33rd over, Hamish maintained composure to bring up his maiden State Shield century soon after.

He went on to make 113 off 105 balls, including 14 fours and a six, before Harris dismissed him with the last ball of the 37th over.

At 219 for four, Northern Districts still looked in control, although two quick wickets did much to keep Canterbury's hopes alive. Kane Williamson was run out for 13 with the score on 221, Joseph Yovich dismissed for a golden duck on the following ball, caught by Peter Fulton off the bowling of Andrew Ellis.

But McGlashan, unbeaten on 27, and Bruce Martin, not out 11, saw Northern through with nearly three overs to spare.